Thyroid calcitonin cells in response to glucagon-induced hypocalcaemia in the Indian jackal, Canis aureus (Linnaeus--lex).

Jackal (Canis aureus) puppies (10) were subjected to hypocalcaemia by a single intravenous injection of crystalline porcine glucagon (Eli Lilly and Co.) in a dosage of 0.2 mg/kg body weight. Fasting blood samples from each specimen were collected 30 minutes before injection. Then again after an interval of 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270 and 300 minutes blood samples were taken. For histological study animals were killed after 30, 90, 120, 240 and 300 minutes of the injection. The mean serum calcium level records a fall upto 90 minutes but it tends to return to normal and at 300 minutes it returns to the preinjection level. The mean serum inorganic phosphate level records a fall upto 180 minutes and therafter the value increases approaching the preinjection levles after 300 minutes. Specific stains were used for staining the calcitonin cells. Animals killed 30 minutes after the injection exhibit beginning of degranulation of secretory granules in their C cells, while those killed after 300 minutes show marked degranulation. A progressive degranulation of calcitonin cells at the various stages of experimentation displays correspondingly poorer response to the staining reaction. There is no change in the histological picture of the parathyroid.